A Visual Journey...
I thrive in the creative process of making.
As a ceramicist, I use porcelain, a pure and sensitive material, to express inner responses to observations and experiences: another voice with which I speak, in a visual, three dimensional language.
The resulting pieces carry meaning, and throughout the making process I strive to demonstrate a balance of skill, attention to detail and a true passion for my craft.
Having commenced her ceramics journey in the 1990's, Anna pursued this passion, leading her to full time study, gaining a First Class Honours degree in Contemporary Applied Arts, specialising in Ceramics, at Belfast School of Art, Ulster University.
Following a residency there, she has had many exhibition opportunities including New Designers (London) and the prestigious RUA (Belfast) on several occasions.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland have granted individual artist awards and purchased works for their public collection, and she has had work featured in various publications.
Anna's Ceramics studio is based at her home in County Down, and her bespoke work is showcased at creative outlets locally, nationally and internationally.
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Education and Qualifications:
2017/2018 Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
2014/2017 B.A Hons. Contemporary Applied Arts – Ceramics (First Class Honours)
2013/2014: Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - Ceramics (Distinction)
Placements, Masterclasses, Residencies:
2019, 2022, 2024, 2025
Artist Residencies- Tyrone Guthrie Centre
2017-18
Artist in Residence Ulster University (Belfast School of Art)
2016
Placement - Belleek Pottery, Fermanagh
2015
Raku Firing Masterclass - Pottery Skills & Design School, Kilkenny
Decorating Techniques Masterclass- Mark Campden, Kilkenny
Pit Firing Collaborative, Ards Penninsula
2014
3D Printing Workshop – ‘Fablab’, Belfast
International Wood Firing Convention, Guldagergaard – International Ceramic Research Centre
Exhibitions/Events:
2024
‘Banan’ International Festival of Craft, Saudi Arabia. Selected for Group Showcase, Craft NI & British Council.
‘MADE LONDON’ 2024 Contemporary Craft & Design Show, Marylebone, London
‘Conversations in Clay’ Group Exhibition, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick
‘Creative Peninsula’ Selected Group Exhibition ‘Elemental’
Garden Show Ireland, Craft NI Craft Village Exhibitor, Antrim Castle Gardens
2023
Royal Ulster Academy 142nd Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
Group Exhibition ‘Mother Earth’ Strule Arts, Omagh
Linen Bienalle, Group Exhibition, Island Arts, Lisburn, Co.Antrim
AKA Contemporary Summer Exhibition, Cambridge
Chaiya Art Awards, Gallery @ Oxo, London
Whitehouse Gallery, Kircudbright, ‘Clay and Canvas’ Group Exhibition
Cahir Arts, Tipperary, Summer Exhibition#3
Wales Contemporary International Art Exhibition, Waterfront Gallery, Wales & Gallery@ OXO, London
Irish Ceramic Awards Exhibition, Millcove Gallery, Kenmare
2022
Arts Council N.I ‘Artist of the Month’ Feature
‘Sculpture in Context’ 2022, Selected Exhibition, National Botanical Gardens, Dublin
‘Creative Peninsula’ Principal Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
2021
Royal Ulster Academy 140th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
‘Inner Journeys…’ Solo Exhibition, Georgian Gallery, Newtownards
‘Creative Penninsula’ Principal Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
‘Re-New’ Selected Exhibition, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
‘Launchpad’ Group Exhibition, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
2020
Royal Ulster Academy 139th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
‘Unlocked’ Selected Exhibition, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
2019
‘The Dinner Party’ Solo Exhibition, The Loft Gallery, Portaferry
‘Creative Peninsula’ Principal Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards ‘Linenopolis’ Selected Exhibition, Linenhall Library, Belfast
Invited ‘Graduate Exhibition’, Bevere Gallery, Worcester
2018
Royal Ulster Academy 137th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
‘Linen Bienalle’ Selected Exhibition, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn
‘Creative Peninsula’ Principal Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
Ulster University Group Exhibition New Designers, London
Residency Exhibition, The Degree Show, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Belfast
2017
Royal Ulster Academy 136th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
‘Into A Dancer…’ Solo Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
The Degree Show, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Belfast
2016
Degree Year 2 Group Exhibition, Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast
Degree Year 2 Group Exhibition, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Belfast
2015
Pit Firing Collaberative Exhibition, The Loft Gallery, Portaferry
Degree Year 1 Group Exhibition, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Belfast
2014
Foundation in Art & Design- Ceramics, Final Year Show, South Eastern Regional College, Bangor.
Professional Activities:
2025
Professional Membership of Design- Nation
2024
Participant in August Craft Month and DCCI ‘Made Local’ Campaign
2023
Selected Member of Arts & Heritage Advisory Panel, Ards & North Down Borough Council
Focus group member- ACNI strategic planning, with Craft NI
Participant in August Craft Month and DCCI ‘Made Local’ campaign
2022
Associate Membership Craft Potters Association
2021
Selected for DCCI ‘Portfolio’ Membership 2021/2022
2021
Featured in new edition of book ‘Irish Ceramics’, John Goode
Featured in article in Perspective’ RSUA magazine
Featured in article on ‘Launchpad’ Irish Arts Review magazine
Featured in article in Belfast Telegraph Re: RUA exhibition piece
2020/21
Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Membership
Selected for Craft NI ‘Launchpad’ Development Programme
2019
Cover Artist for ‘Creative Peninsula’ Advertising
Participant in ‘August Craft Month’ 2019
2018/2019
Workshop/talks facilitator at ‘Unique’ Art shop/Art room- Belfast School of Art, U.U.
2018
Linen Biennale Conference Assistant - Island Arts Centre, Lisburn
Higher Education Authority Associate Fellowship - study and teaching experience at Ulster University
2017/2018
Ceramics Tutor - South Eastern Regional College
2017
Television Interview (NVTV) at The Degree Show, Belfast School of Art
Achievements/ Awards:
2022
Creative Peninsula Prize - curated exhibition, Newtownards.
2021
‘Emerging Artist’ Prize from the former Guild of Northern Ireland Designers and Makers (the Guild) Awarded by Craft NI
Ards and North Down Borough Council Arts and Heritage Fund Award
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Resilience Fund, Two Awards
2020
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Support for Individual Artists Award
Freelands Foundation for Artists - Emergency Funding Awarded
Chaiya Art Awards - Longlisted
2019
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Support for Individual Artists Award
Selected for Stormont Assembly 16th Designer Makers Initiative
Ards and North Down Borough Council ‘Tyrone Guthrie Residency’ Bursary
‘Handmade in Britain’ Competition-‘Identity’, Longlisted
2018
Selected by Royal Ulster Academy of the arts 137th exhibition
2017
Selected by Royal Ulster Academy of the Arts 136th exhibition
Selected at Degree Show by Ulster University/First Trust Bank to make Distinguished Graduate Award
2015
Ulster University, Belfast- The Dean’s First Year Ceramics Prize For Excellence
2014
The Ceramic Prize - South Eastern Regional College, Bangor
Commissions:
2024
Clonard Credit Union 60th Anniversary Celebration Awards
2023
North Down and Ards Council ‘The Lady Dufferin Award’ (Food and Drinks Awards 2023)
2020
Private Commission - Remembrance Piece
Private Commission - Linen Heritage
2017
Trophy for Ulster University/First trust Bank Distinguished Graduate Award
Gift for visiting Professor, Ulster University, Belfast
2016
Private Commission – Contemporary Communion Chalice
Private and Public Collections:
2024
Private Collector, London
Private Collector, Bangkok
2022
Northern Ireland Office, Brussels
2020
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Public Collection – Porcelain Collection: ‘Linen Legacy’
Galleries/Stockists:
Cahir Arts, Tipperary
Craft Ni Gallery, Belfast
Island Arts Centre, Lisburn (Linen Themed Series)
Gallery 1608, Bushmills
So Fine Art Editions, Dublin
The Waterfront Gallery, Pembrokeshire, Wales
The Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright, Scotland